Intel heads into its April 23 earnings with rising investor expectations , but the key question remains whether AI-driven CPU demand can offset ongoing margin weakness . Revenue Stable, But Margins Under Pressure Intel is expected to deliver Q1 revenue around US$12.4 billion , slightly above the midpoint of its guidance range. However, the real concern lies in profitability: Gross margin guided at 34.5% , down from 39.2% a year ago EPS near breakeven (~US$0.00) vs US$0.13 last year This highlights continued pressure from costs, utilisation, and product mix , despite improving demand signals. AI CPUs: A Key Growth Driver Intel’s near-term bullish case centers on AI-related CPU demand , particularly its Xeon processors. A key development is its partnership with Alphabet , which reinforces: Intel’s role in AI data centre infrastructure Growing demand for AI inference and general-purpose computing Investors will watch c...
Maintain a neutral call with an unchanged target price (TP) of RM1.21
Perdana announced that its subsidiary Perdana Nautika Sdn Bhd (PNSB) has been awarded a c.RM 67.0m contract from Petronas Carigali Sdn Bhd (PCSB). The contract is for the supply of a floating accommodation vessel for a period of 3 years, with an optional extension of 2 years commencing 17 September 2016. We are pleased with this award as it reaffirms the Group’s plans to attain a better fleet utilization rate for 2HFY16 which will improve its current rate of 53% as at 2QFY16. We continue to recommend Perdana with a Neutral call with a unchanged TP of RM1.21, based on our DCF approach using a 10.9% WACC. Our estimates have accounted for sufficient contract replenishments albeit considering a lower utilisation rate assumption coupled with a less aggressive expansion plan going forward. Perdana remains suspended in the interim while awaiting the final takeover structure.
PCSB award did not come as a surprise as Dayang, Perdana’s new management has been aggresively bidding for jobs, with the intention to continue boosting the Group’s activities. We are reaffirmed of Dayang’s ability to secure new work for the Group going forward.
The Group’s average utilization for FY16 is expected at c.68%, buoyed by current and potential contracts of both long and short-term durations. We understand there are plans to deploy 3 to 5 vessels to Brunei and Indonesia, while leveraging on its umbrella contracts and closed competitive bidding process to Petronas license holders. We understand that the Group is also exploring possibilities of venturing into regional markets in the ensuing year.
Management plans to leverage on Perdana’s average 6-years fleet for Dayang’s activities in the areas of hook-up & commissioning (HUC) and topside structural maintenance (TSM) mainly in the brownfield segment which have been less adversely affected by the dampened oil price landscape. Of 17 vessels, 7 vessels are currently chartered to Dayang for its operations.
Source: PublicInvest Research, 05 October 2016
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